Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is becoming increasingly popular among communications service providers (CSPs) worldwide, thanks to its ability to deliver speed-based tariff plans, which are further enhanced by 5G technology. According to the June 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report, this capability is proving particularly attractive to providers seeking to expand broadband reach and monetize next-generation networks.
The report projects that FWA will represent more than 35 percent of all new fixed broadband connections globally, with total connections expected to reach 350 million by the end of 2030. The expansion of 5G FWA is especially significant in areas where traditional wired infrastructure remains costly or impractical.
Globally, 5G continues its rapid adoption. The report forecasts that 5G subscriptions will reach 2.9 billion by the end of 2025—accounting for roughly one-third of all mobile subscriptions. Looking ahead, 5G subscriptions are expected to climb to 6.3 billion by the end of 2030. Already, 5G networks carried 35 percent of global mobile data traffic by the close of 2024, a figure projected to exceed 80 percent by 2030.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the telecommunications sector is maintaining steady growth, buoyed by a young population, increased access to affordable smartphones, and a surging demand for mobile data and digital services.
“Sub-Saharan Africa is rapidly advancing toward a digitally connected future,” says Majda Lahlou Kassi, Vice President and Head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa at Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The ongoing rollout of 4G and 5G are steadily phasing out legacy technologies with 40 percent of the projected subscriptions by 2030 expected to be 5G, as per the latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report. We also see strong attention to fintech innovations and Fixed Wireless Access, which play a vital role in expanding connectivity and financial inclusion in the region. Together, they are driving inclusive growth and unlocking new opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
As the region transitions, 2G and 3G technologies are expected to decline at annual rates of 5 percent and 10 percent respectively. By 2030, 4G will represent around 37 percent of total mobile subscriptions, while 5G will grow significantly to reach approximately 400 million subscriptions.
In response to evolving market demands, service providers are expanding their offerings beyond connectivity. There is increasing investment in fintech services—especially mobile money—and in FWA solutions designed to improve access for households and enterprises. The long-term resilience of the sector, the report suggests, will depend on sustained infrastructure development and favorable regulatory support.
The June 2025 Ericsson Mobility Report also emphasizes how 5G Standalone (5G SA) and 5G Advanced technologies are opening up new monetization opportunities for CSPs by shifting focus from sheer data volume to value-added services.
CSPs are exploring a broad range of commercial applications, from video production and gaming to virtual private networks (VPNs), event connectivity, enterprise productivity tools, and more. These differentiated services are being offered to consumers, businesses, and public sector organizations alike.
Among the report’s deep-dive articles is a study exploring how generative AI (GenAI) could influence future mobile network traffic, concluding that only applications with both high adoption and high data-rate demands will significantly affect global network growth. Another feature, co-authored with Sony, details how the entertainment industry is using dynamic slicing and Quality on Demand (QoD) APIs to enable high-quality live media production over mobile networks.
As mobile networks evolve, the report underscores the importance of technological innovation and partnerships in shaping the future of connectivity—especially in rapidly developing regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.
